Del. Elliott Pritt

Maddy summaryHB 2539 would provide a 25% discount on lodging and services at West Virginia State Parks for residents who present a valid West Virginia driver's license or state ID card. The bill directly affects West Virginia residents seeking to use state park facilities, requiring documented residency to qualify for the reduced fees. It amends state code to mandate this discount through the director of state parks, applying only to fees for lodging and services exclusively used by residents. The bill was introduced on February 18, 2025, and referred to the House Finance Committee, but has not yet been enacted into law.

Maddy summaryHB 2572 would amend West Virginia Code §20-2-22a to remove the prohibition against hunting bears using bait during hunting seasons when deer and bear hunting overlap. This change specifically allows hunters to use bait for deer hunting during concurrent seasons without violating bear hunting restrictions. The bill directly affects hunters participating in deer hunting seasons where bait is permitted, enabling them to hunt bears in those same areas without needing separate authorization. The key provision eliminates the current ban in Section (d)(3) that prohibits bear hunting "through the use of bait" during such concurrent seasons.

Maddy summaryHB 2541 would establish rules for election observers in West Virginia, allowing political parties, candidates, and third-party organizations to have two observers per election location, plus any registered voter to serve as an observer. The bill requires election officials to provide observers with full access to voting, ballot-reviewing, and ballot-counting activities (excluding individual voter choices), including access to areas like ballot handling, verification, and tabulation. Observers must wear official badges, may take handwritten notes or use recording devices (except during ballot completion), and cameras must be stationed in all polling locations to enable public observation. The bill also mandates that election officials allow public observation of equipment testing and post-election audits, with failure to comply risking official sanctions.

Maddy summaryHB 2569 creates a tax credit against West Virginia's Business and Occupation tax for businesses that recycle. It directly affects businesses subject to this tax by allowing them to reduce their tax liability based on their recycling activities, with credit amounts determined by business type and the specific products recycled. The bill establishes this credit under new Section 11-13-3h of the West Virginia Code, requiring the Tax Commissioner to develop implementing regulations. The credit applies to businesses using recycling programs as defined in §22-15-1 et seq. The bill was introduced on February 18, 2025, and referred to the House Finance Committee.

Maddy summaryHB 2536 requires full cash bail for individuals rearrested for violent or gun-related crimes while on bail for a prior similar offense. It applies specifically to people already out on bond for violent or gun-related crimes who commit another offense in that category. The bill mandates cash-only bail (no bail bondsmen allowed) and requires consecutive sentencing if the person is convicted of the new crime. This changes bail procedures and sentencing for repeat offenders in specific violent or gun crime cases.

Maddy summaryHB 2546 would eliminate West Virginia's observance of daylight saving time by permanently adopting Eastern Standard Time (EST) as the state's official time, effective July 1, 2025. This change would apply to all public schools, colleges, state agencies, and local governments, removing the need for biannual clock adjustments. The bill amends existing law to replace the current daylight saving time schedule with a fixed EST schedule, meaning the state would no longer advance or reset clocks in spring or fall. As a result, West Virginia would remain on EST year-round without seasonal time changes.

Maddy summaryHB 2530 creates a state program within West Virginia’s Department of Homeland Security to facilitate the transport of "inspected unauthorized aliens" (people processed by federal authorities but not formally admitted under immigration law) within the United States. The bill establishes the Unauthorized Alien Transport Program, authorizing the state to contract services and adopt rules for transporting these individuals, while requiring compliance with federal law. It does not address deportation or sanctuary cities, as the bill’s title misrepresents its purpose. The program is temporary, expiring June 30, 2028. This bill directly affects West Virginia’s administrative processes for handling individuals already processed by federal immigration systems.

Maddy summaryHB 2535 would require West Virginia inmates in state prisons to face additional prison time if found with illegal drugs or testing positive for drug use while incarcerated. For a first offense, inmates would have six months added to their current sentence; for a second or subsequent offense, one year would be added per incident, served consecutively. The bill mandates drug testing to begin after three months of incarceration for all inmates, with additional testing allowed if staff suspects drug use. This directly affects individuals serving sentences in West Virginia correctional facilities who test positive or possess drugs during their imprisonment.

Maddy summaryHB 2531 increases West Virginia's homestead property tax exemption from $20,000 to $40,000 for qualifying homeowners. It directly affects residents aged 65 or older or certified as permanently and totally disabled who have lived in West Virginia for two consecutive years. The bill allows these homeowners to exclude the first $40,000 of their property's assessed value from local property taxes, provided they occupy the home exclusively as their primary residence. The exemption applies starting July 1st and requires proof of residency, such as a state voter registration or vehicle registration.

Maddy summaryHB 2534 creates a voluntary registry for people with specific disabilities (like autism, Alzheimer’s, or Down syndrome) to help law enforcement better interact with them during encounters. Adults can self-enroll with medical documentation, while parents or legal guardians can enroll minors or incapacitated adults using proof of disability or guardianship. Registry information - including names, contact details, and disability type - is kept confidential and exempt from public records, but may be shared with law enforcement, emergency management, or fire departments for official duties. Individuals can request removal from the registry within five business days.